Chapter 26

Lillian

"Why do you live with him? Did he force you to do that?" He snapped at me and I flinched a little.

Zayden had both hands on my shoulders, clutching them so hard I thought my scapula would snap.

I grimaced." Why do you think so bad of your brother?" I asked Instead. I'm yet to understand the relationship between the duo.

He finally released my shoulders.

" He is not someone you should be staying with. What happened Lilly? Tell me this is some sort of joke and you are only staying with him for a few days." He spoke, his voice soft.

He called me Lily, my name on his lips sounded surreal.

" It's not a joke, I'm living with him. At least till I get a place to stay." I finally said, embarrassment tainting my cheeks.

He squinted his brows." Until you get a place to stay? What happened to your apartment?"

I bit down on my lips; my eyes were beginning to sting.

He grabbed my hand gently, his touch making all the hairs on my neck erect.

" Tell me what happened."

I saw genuine concern on his face. The Zayden I knew, my boss, doesn't show concern.

But the man standing in front of me was a whole new person. There was no scowl on his face, no irritation, and the muscles on his jaw were relaxed.

I sighed, a sad smile appearing on my face.

And then I told him. I told him everything from how I got kicked out to how I was as broke as a shattered glass and how my first salary went down the drain.

After I finished my story I broke down, I couldn't help it. I had tried so hard these last few days not to cry in front of Aiden. But right now, my lacrimal glands were full to the brim.

Zayden didn't utter a word. He held me close and let me soak his expensive suit with my tears.

I was helpless and I hated it. I hated when I couldn't do anything to help my situation and had to depend on people.

I hated that I didn't fight for my parent's property when I turned eighteen and just let my uncle and his witch of a wife get away with it.

The jewellery shop they owned was taken over by my uncle; I couldn't bring myself to walk down the street where it was located ever since I saw how the business was doing.

I wouldn't be surprised if the jewellery shop closed down in the next few years. But still, it hurt to know that something my parents worked hard for was going down the drain gradually.

" Lillian, you should have called instead, and I would have come over," Zayden Whispered in my ears.

I released myself from the hug and wiped my snort-filled face with my napkin.

" Well, you didn't seem like you cared before. I did not want to bother you." I shrugged.

He frowned." The next time you have a problem, I'm the only person you are allowed to call, got it ?"

I laughed,trying to ignore the roiling of my stomach." I didn't know you could be this jealous."

His jaw ticked." I am not jealous; I just do not like the fact that you turn to him when you have problems and not me."

I giggled." Sounds like jealousy to me ."

He rolled his eyes." Think what you want. You won't be living with him anymore."

I looked up at him." Why not ?"

"Because I can give you a house and a stable income till you get back on your feet."

I stared at him like he just spoke Chinese. This has to be a joke.

I didn't know what to say." You....you can't be serious."

"I'm damn serious. I'll give you a house, and you won't lack anything." He voiced with all seriousness.

I shook my head, disbelief clouding my entire facial feature.

This was Zayden.

The Zayden Kent, offering me a house and stable income and for what?

"A house and stable income?" I asked again,my blood thrummed in my veins.

He nodded." If you want a car or anything else, I can make it happen."

My eyes widened in disbelief. This can't be true, it seemed too good to be true.

"Just like that? With no strings attached?" I voiced, adrenaline clouding my veins.

He remained quiet, a suspicious glint in his grey eyes.

I snorted." Of course, why did I think you'd do all that without expecting anything in return."

He remained quiet, looking at me with a strange expression on his handsome face.

I swallowed, a weird feeling growing in my chest.

I raised a brow, my heart thrumming Loud in my ears."Zayden? What are your terms? You are not one to give things out without expecting anything in return."

He smiled. A simple yet destructive gesture. The smile didn't reach his eyes, it was that kind of smile you give when you're sure you have the upper hand against a client.

"You're smart, Lilian." He spoke, his voice returning to his usual cold demeanour.

"What exactly do you want in return?" I asked again.

He smirked." Relax, I'll fulfil my end of the bargain first."

I shook my head." No way, I don't even know what we are bargaining!"

He reached my chin, his thumb grazing my lips. We were now just a few inches apart. I could feel his body heat, and his cologne filled my lungs.

Why do I feel like he was going to ask for the impossible?

"I'll give you a house then we'll discuss what I want some other time. I don't want you to think that I'm taking advantage of your situation." His voice had gone low to a dangerous degree.

Even his hands had found their way to my waist.

My breath was shaky."Why do I feel like I'm being manipulated?"

My hands had a mind of their own because I didn't understand what they were doing tracing circles on his chest.

He smirked." You are."

And then he brushed his lips against mine.

Such a gentle move, but it ignited a furnace within me. I should stop, the last time we kissed, we got caught.

And I'm not about to go through humiliation again just because of my desires.

I pushed him away gently,my body screaming opposition." Zayden, we can't. You're my boss, our relationship is strictly business from now on."

I could see the raw desire in his eyes." Strictly business? If you are scared someone will walk in like last time, you don't need to worry about that. I gave a specific warning to knock before entering, that's if I give the order to enter."

I shook my head, wanting to create distance between us, but my legs wouldn't budge. I did not like the strange feeling growing in the pit of my belly.

"That's not it, we just can't do this anymore," I said, my voice shaking. My blood was running cold,the feeling of impending doom was overwhelming,a feeling a know too well.

He squinted his brows." Is this about Sage? If it is then I swear I have nothing with her ?."

I was surprised at how relieved I was but I brushed it away as soon as possible.

I swallowed the lump in my throat." That's ...that's not it."

"Then why? Are you afraid you'll fall for me?" He raised a brow, amusement in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes,hoping he wouldn't noticed how my hands trembled." You wish." I managed to let out.

Deep down, I knew I wanted him, and there might be this slightest chance that I was starting to like him.

I didn't want that to happen; we were too far apart on various aspects. It would be disastrous. Plus,I did not want my past to repeat itself.

He finally gave space between us." Alright then, I won't force you. I want you ,so when you are ready, I'll be here." He placed a kiss on my temple and strolled out.

I slumped on my chair, my hands trembling violently. His words kept echoing at the back of my mind. Fear rose in my throat as I struggled to calm my breathing.

Memories flooded my mind, memories I wasn't even sure were mine. My right leg started moving,jerking uncontrollably on its own. I couldn't stop it ,my breathing was rugged and sweat droplets were rolling down my face.

This was just like that time, it was happening again. But why now? it had been six years since my last episode.

I needed to see my therapist.